La Maestra Community Health Centers and Verizon Foundation Debut Healthcare Initiative for Children at National City Cinco de Mayo Mariachi Festival on April 27

SAN DIEGO, April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- La Maestra Community Health Centers, a leading healthcare nonprofit in San Diego County, and the Verizon Foundation will unveil a state-of-the-art mobile clinic vehicle at the National City Cinco de Mayo Mariachi Festival on Saturday (April 27). Festival participants can tour the mobile clinic -- equipped with the most advanced telemedicine and X-ray systems technology -- and receive free health screenings and services.

The Verizon Foundation is partnering with La Maestra Community Health Centers to accelerate new health care solutions focused on children to reduce healthcare disparities, improve access and quality of care, and empower patients in need with better chronic-disease management tools. Since last fall, thousands of local children and families have had access to quality medical and dental services, specialty care and health education at schools, housing complexes, community events and key shopping areas in their communities.

(Note: The media will have access to mobile clinic for technology demonstrations)

WHEN:

Saturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The program will feature special guests, continuous demos, tours of mobile unit and interviews.

WHERE:

National City Cinco de Mayo Festival at Pepper Park

3299 Tidelands Ave., National City.

WHO:

Ron Morrison, mayor of National City

Greg Cox, San Diego Board of Supervisors

Brian Clapper, National School District Board member

Zara Marselian, CEO of La Maestra

Janet Catalan, district manager, Verizon Wireless

Parents and children who are La Maestra patients will be available to speak about receiving mobile clinic services and the impact on their family.

WHAT:

- In many parts of the county, children are living in single-parent homes where neither child nor parent receives medical or dental care. According to the CDC, there are 4.8 million uninsured children in the U.S.

- While many healthcare providers are still using film X-ray, the mobile clinic will soon add digital capabilities, allowing providers to catch potentially life-threatening conditions far in advance.

- 7,631 students from schools impacted by new initiative have no access to regular medical care.